Table 2
Contrasting the Decision-making Process in General Practice and Hospital*
| Issue | General/Family Practice | Hospital |
| Problem type | Unselected | Selected |
| Who makes decisions | Alone, in isolation | Often made with other doctors and colleagues |
| Influence of knowledge of the family | Decisions affected | Decisions often made with no knowledge of the family |
| Time available | Short consultations, little time | More time to take history and fully examine |
| Seriousness and urgency of problem | Decision made by general practitioner outside hospital | Decided on before admission or referral |
| Type of problem | Worried about something, minor illness, chronic disease | Mainly major illness, chronic disease |
| Stage in natural history the disease is seen | Often early | Usually late |
| Type and range of decisions | Very broad, with several problems presented at once | More limited, depending on specialty |
| Review of decisions | Easily reviewed | Hard to review after discharge |
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↵* Adapted with permission from Essex.37
